Lakes, mountains and a hidden gem

We will start our tour from Stresa, one of Lake Maggiore’s most famous towns. Here we will catch a shared motorboat to the world-famous Isola Bella. Once there, we will reach the first stunning site of the day: the enchanting Palazzo Borromeo. We will lead you inside this fairy-tale milestone of European culture and tell you about its history, giving you all the most interesting insights while enjoying the breathtaking beauty of its great halls and some fantastic views over Lake Maggiore.

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Then, it will be time to return to the mainland to catch a car or minivan and drive along Lake Maggiore’s shore to Lake Mergozzo and the homonymous lake. This tiny village is simply magic! It shows a maze of narrow alleys and ancient medieval stone houses where people still live today.​

The Lake, surrounded by the imposing Montorfano peak, has some of Europe´s cleanest waters. We will explore the historic centre and learn about its glorious past and the stonemasons that worked here for centuries to extract stones that would decorate iconic buildings like Milano´s Duomo (Cathedral).

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To end with, it will be time to drive to one of the most authentic and off the tourist path districts of Lake Maggiore. The Alto Vergante lays about 500 m above the lake. Here you’ll find some incredibly green nature, lush forests and several lovely little towns. We will end our day with a “dolce-vita” moment, sitting at the glorious Trattoria San Salvatore´s terrace, a spot with a spectacular view over the 5 lakes, the Alps and Apennines, and on clear days you can see Milano´s skyline in the distance. We’ll be able to enjoy a super typical “merenda” (or afternoon snack) with cured meat cuts, pickles and cheeses, and wine - just like a local!

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